aha

Alternative forms

• a-ha, ah-ha

Etymology

From Middle English a ha, aha, natural expression. Equivalent to ah + ha!.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɑːhɑː/
• (General American) enPR: ä-häʹ, IPA^(key): [ɑˈhɑ], [əˈhɑ]

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɑː

Interjection

aha

1. An exclamation of understanding, realization, invention, or recognition.

   Aha! That will work.

2. An exclamation of surprise, exaltation, or contempt.

   Aha! Now I've got you!

See also

• ah
• ha
• eureka

Anagrams

• aah

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈaɦa]

Interjection

aha

1. aha, I see (expresion of understanding, realization, invention or recognition)

Noun

aha n (indeclinable)

1. (colloquial, obsolete) toilet

   Synonyms: záchod, toaleta

Further reading

• “aha”, in Příruční slovník jazyka českého (in Czech), 1935–1957
• “aha”, in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého (in Czech), 1960–1971, 1989

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

• IPA^(key): [ˈaha]
• Rhymes: -aha
• Hyphenation: a‧ha

Interjection

aha

1. aha

   Synonym: oho

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æhæ/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

aha (plural ahawo)

1. alcohol

Etymology

Like ah (to which it is somehow related), tracing an exact origin is impossible. Probably ultimately a natural expression.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑhɑ(ˣ)/, [ˈɑ̝ɦɑ̝(ʔ)]
• Rhymes: -ɑhɑ
• Hyphenation^(key): aha

Interjection

aha

1. uh-huh (indicates that the speaker agrees or is simply still listening)

Anagrams

• aah, haa

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʔaˈha/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aː

Interjection

aha

1. aha

Further reading

• “aha” in Duden online
• “aha” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache

Romanization

aha

1. Romanization of 𐌰𐌷𐌰

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʔaɦa/

Noun

aha m (masc. plural ahabii, fem. ahako, fem. plural ahabee)

1. tooth (fem. = molar, fem. pl. = adult teeth, masc. pl. = baby teeth)
2. red velvet mite (Trombidiid)

Etymology

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *afa. Cognates include Maori aha and Rapa Nui aha.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈa.ha/, [ˈɐ.hə]
• Hyphenation: a‧ha

Pronoun

aha

1. what?

   He aha kēlā? ― What is that?

References

• Pukui, Mary Kawena, Elbert, Samuel H. (1986) “aha”, in Hawaiian Dictionary, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈɒhɒ] or [ɒˈhɒ] (only as an exclamation)
• Rhymes: -hɒ

Interjection

aha

1. (colloquial) aha (an exclamation of sudden understanding, realization, or recognition)

   Aha, itt a hiba! ― Aha, here’s the problem!

2. (colloquial) uh-huh (used informally in place of a “yes”)

Further reading

• (exclamation of sudden understanding, realization, or recognition): aha in Bárczi, Géza and László Országh. A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára (“The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language”, abbr.: ÉrtSz.). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN
• (used informally in place of a “yes”): aha in Bárczi, Géza and László Országh. A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára (“The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language”, abbr.: ÉrtSz.). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN
• aha in Nóra Ittzés, editor, A magyar nyelv nagyszótára [A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (Nszt.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 2006–2031 (work in progress; published a–ez as of 2024).

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: a‧ha

Noun

aha

1. human being

Etymology

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *afa, from Proto-Oceanic *apa, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apa, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *apa.

Pronoun

aha

1. what (interrogative pronoun)

References

• “aha” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.

Etymology

Natural expression. First attested in the second half of the 15th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (10^th–15^th CE) /a(ː)xa(ː)/
• IPA^(key): (15^th CE) /axa/, /ɒxɒ/

Interjection

aha

1. (hapax, attested in Greater Poland) aha (showing surprise)
   • 1916 [second half of the 15th century], Stanisław Słoński, editor, Psałterz puławski‎, Greater Poland, pages 69, 4:

     Odwroczcze szye wszystczy rychlo zapalayøcz szya, gysz my mowyø: aha, aha (qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge)!

     [Odwroćcie sie wszystcy rychło zapalając się, jiż mi mowią: aha, aha (qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge)!]

References

• Sławski, Franciszek (1958-1965) “aha”, in Jan Safarewicz, Andrzej Siudut, editors, Słownik etymologiczny języka polskiego [Etymological dictionary of the Polish language] (in Polish), Kraków: Towarzystwo Miłośników Języka Polskiego
• B. Sieradzka-Baziur, Ewa Deptuchowa, Joanna Duska, Mariusz Frodyma, Beata Hejmo, Dorota Janeczko, Katarzyna Jasińska, Krystyna Kajtoch, Joanna Kozioł, Marian Kucała, Dorota Mika, Gabriela Niemiec, Urszula Poprawska, Elżbieta Supranowicz, Ludwika Szelachowska-Winiarzowa, Zofia Wanicowa, Piotr Szpor, Bartłomiej Borek, editors (2011–2015), “aha”, in Słownik pojęciowy języka staropolskiego [Conceptual Dictionary of Old Polish] (in Polish), Kraków: IJP PAN, →ISBN

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *ahu, from Proto-Germanic *ahwō (“waters, river”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ekʷeh₂ (“water”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑha/

Noun

aha f

1. water
2. running water, river, stream